Bottlescrew Bill's pub in Calgary has found an innovative solution to keep serving its full menu after a kitchen fire last month caused significant damage. Instead of shutting down food service, the establishment brought in a food truck to serve as a temporary kitchen while renovations are underway.
Creative Solution to Keep Business Running
General manager Geoff Allan explained the decision to use a food truck was driven by a desire to maintain business continuity. “For us, it didn't really seem like there's really an option of throwing in the towel here,” he said. “We want to keep the continuity of the business.”
The food truck began operating on Wednesday, but Allan acknowledged that operating a food truck is a new venture for the team, and there may be some challenges along the way. “There's many operational challenges that we've tried to anticipate, and I think we should succeed at, but there will be some stuff along the way that we just don't know,” he noted.
Permits and Logistics
It took a couple of weeks to obtain city approval for the food truck. By the time they decided to proceed, only one truck was available for rent in the city. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, all necessary permits were secured, and the truck was ready for Wednesday's launch. “We're just cooking 10 feet away, across the sidewalk,” Allan said. “It's more like a temporary kitchen that we have placed outside on the street. We're not taking it to a county fair or anything like that.”
Limited Service After Fire
The fire occurred on April 14, causing significant damage to the kitchen but no injuries. The pub remained open with a limited menu until the food truck arrangement was finalized. “Our brewery space was unaffected, so we were able to convert part of the brewery space into a cold kitchen, so we had sandwiches and chips and stuff,” Allan said.
The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, with forensic test results pending. “It resulted in pretty much a total loss of everything in the kitchen, so we're working through that,” Allan explained. The kitchen has been completely gutted, and reconstruction has begun. “My wife was telling me, she's like, 'People don't really understand how bad the fire was until I show them a video of the space, or take them through the space,'” Allan said. “It will be OK. We're glad nobody was hurt, and that it is fixable, but it's not great.”
Hope to Restore Kitchen Before Calgary Stampede
This isn't the first time Bottlescrew Bill's has adapted to challenging circumstances. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the pub, known for its Around the World in 80 Beers passport, offered a pandemic version delivered to customers' doorsteps. “Seems like we're finding ways to stay open, no matter what,” Allan said.
